7 women killed in TN firecracker unit blast

CM Palaniswami announces ` 2 lakh relief

Seven women, including the firecracker unit licensee and her kin were killed and 2 workers critically injured in an explosion at a fireworks factory in Kattumannarkoil here on Friday, police said.

CM K Palaniswami, who expressed his condolences to the bereaved families, announced a solatium of Rs2 lakh each to them. The factory owner Gandhimathi and eight other women were allegedly involved in making country firecrackers at the unit in Kurungudi village in Kattumannarkoil when a sudden explosion ripped through the structure, killing 5 women, police said.

Four injured were later rescued from the concrete debris by the locals and admitted to a hospital. While two women succumbed later, 2 remaining 2 are undergoing treatment. "The licensee and 4 of her kin died in the blast while 2 other women died at the hospital," Cuddalore District Superintendent of Police M Sree Abhinav told PTI.

"We are investigating the cause of the blast. There was no fire mishap. Probably some chemical substance like nitrate was stocked at the factory," Abhinav said.

Nitrates are common components of fertilisers and explosives. Apart from Gandhimathi, Malarkodi, Latha, Rajathi, Chitra, Rukmani and Rathinammal died.

"Hearing the news of the death of 7 women in the blast is distressing. I express my heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families," CM Palaniswami said and announced a solatium of Rs2 lakh each to the affected families.

He said he had directed Industries Minister MC Sampath and the District Collector to ensure appropriate treatment to the injured and also visit the grieving families and console them.

DMK President and Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil NaduAssembly MK Stalin and Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam founder TTV Dhinakaran also expressed grief.